MAGGIE SMITH BENDALL

Gypsy rights campaigner to receive BEM

FROM THIS IS SOMERSET

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Car-spectacular-offers-family-entertainment/story-16425798-detail/story.html

A SOMERSET woman who represented the Romani Gypsy community in planning disputes has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Romani rights campaigner Maggie Smith Bendall has worked on planning cases all over the country, including Somerset. She has been given a British Empire Medal in recognition of her voluntary service to community relations.

Mrs Smith Bendell said: "When I found out about the honour I couldn't speak for five minutes. For the first time in my life I was totally shocked and very tearful.

"I hope this will inspire the younger generation to come out and start doing things as I have done. I am still very involved with planning issues and I am also chair of the UK Association For Gipsy Women's Rights."

In October 2005, Mrs Smith Bendall defended gypsies who had occupied a field in North Curry and set up camp without planning permission.

Other local honours recipients include: Commodore Robert Mansergh of Charlton Horethorne – OBE for contribution to the reserve and cadet forces; Colin Irwin John Hamilton Drummond, chief executive, Viridor Waste – OBE for services to Technology and Innovation; Sally Lewis, chief executive officer, Avon and Somerset Probation Trust – OBE For services to Public Protection and reducing reoffending; Colin Frank Skellett, executive chairman, Wessex Water – OBE For services to business and to WaterAid; Keith Frederick Drodge, Grade C1, Ministry of Defence – MBE; Elizabeth Ann Mary Nelson, vice-president, Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, Dorset and vice-chairman, Motor Neurone Disease Association – MBE for services to palliative care and the Motor Neurone Disease Association; Philip Anthony Venner Crawford – BEM for services to farming and the rural
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Maggie is also the author of two wonderful books
OUR FORGOTTEN YEARS
and
RABBIT STEW AND A PENNY OR TWO.
I recommend both books as delightful, informative and just plain good.
Morgan
These books are published under the spelling  Smith Bendell